Hello!!!!

Oh my goodness …… what a whirlwind the last couple of months have been!  I'm back and have missed you all so much!

These beautiful interiors from Sarah Richardson have really inspired me of late especially the grey cabinetry in the kitchen!

Very tranquil and peaceful ….

and a bouquet of cushions below!!!!

There is much to share with you … have a great week!

xxxx M.A. the 2nd

Time for Tea!

What is it about pretty cakes, delicate china and soft linen that makes us swoon?  It is the feeling of a bygone era where  time did stand still when you took tea...  Where conversations and gossip where shared …. where the delicate art of sipping tea out of an antique cup was sublime.

We are all so busy and this tradition of afternoon tea sounds the perfect antidote for all of us!  I made these cupcakes on Monday afternoon before I picked Georgiana up from school.  I had worked all day and I just felt like baking something …. these cakes are a Donna Hay recipe  … it took in all 40mins including cooking and I was so glad I did it… Homemade cupcakes for afternoon tea and it was perfect … with Georgie's hectic school and dance schedule Monday is the one afternoon where she and I can sit and take time for tea …..

The beauty of these cakes are that they freeze and refrigerate beautifully … I did a vanilla cream and jam filling and dusted with icing sugar ….

I just wanted to quickly show you the new upholstery on my Georgian chairs … love them!

more cupcakes 

The beautiful Countess of Downton Abbey … currently watching Season 4 and loving it!!! Now those Edwardians new how to take tea!

Exquisite …..

Marie Antoinette took tea regularly and the Emperor of China was known to send her tea!

I am on a journey out west tomorrow to see a lovely country client and help her with the Homestead …. I am so excited as we are currently also doing the townhouse which is coming along nicely ….. time stands still in the country I am told … I certainly hope so!  I think I should pack my riding boots as well and try and resurrect my riding skills!  Have a wonderful Friday and don't forget to smile!

Brian J McCarthy

These beautiful interiors are by Brian J McCarthy who is a Manhattan based interior designer.  I absolutely fell in love with these gorgeous hues.  The home is a beach house in upstate New York and is whimsical and fresh!

  These beautiful images are from Verandah magazine ….. look at the detailing on the Louis chairs and the stripes!

Brian J. McCarthy is a former partner of the iconic firm, Parish-Hadley and has just release a new book "Luminous Interiors"!

The subtle use of grey and pink horizontal stripes painted on the walls is soothing and elegant….  I think I might just pop onto Amazon and secure my copy of this very talented designers work!  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!

Lemon Yellow and Lime Zest ~ Ivy Style!

I am off to Sydney next Thursday for Design and Decoration and I am so excited!  I just wanted to share one of my favourite Sydney locations with you ...

This is The Ivy … an incredibly stylish and elegant masterpiece smack bang in the middle of the Sydny CBD!

Ivy has an abundance of restaurants, bars and conference rooms and they are all stunning!

Think that you could be in Florida …. absolutely!  The owners and designers did an incredible job of creating a haven where you can feel like you are on holiday in the middle of the city …..

The top bar is my favourite called the Pool Bar and you can hire the cabanas for private use which is fantastic.

That zest of yellow has me singing!  Look out Sydney here we come!

xxx M.A. the 2nd

In the Pink!

I just love this beautiful confection that I found on pinterest …. and felt like a pink post!

I don't know if you are like me but I adore personalised seals … they are so elegant and finishe a correspondence beautifully.

I am sure you will agree when I say delicate china and Laduree are beautiful and it makes me feel happy to look at them and marvel at the creation … I have hit the ground running this year already with new clients and continuing on with briefs from last year …. it is nice to have a few moments just to look at these images and enjoy how beautiful things always inspire ….

Inspire creativity ….. to achieve … I just have to realise that the above saying is so true … we can do anything just not everything….

so whatever your dreams are for this year I hope you achieve your goals and enjoy every single moment ….

these are perfection but we are not and therein lies the beauty …..

so take a glass of champagne and let us toast the future ….

M.A. the 2nd

xxx 

all images pinterest

Apartment No. 1 ~ Ralph Lauren

I always love the interiors of Ralph Lauren and Apartment No. 1 is just stunning!  

Rich, regal colours with touches of black houndstooth and polished lacquered furniture …..

We are in summer here in Australia but I was browsing for a client for RL homewares and just wanted to share this elegance … it has an old Hollywood Regency  feel to it …. 

Top Hat … yes please!

RL interiors are always timeless, sophisticated and elegant … perfect for a Duke and Duchess or anyone for that matter!    Have a lovely Wednesday tomorrow!

xx M.A. the 2nd!

Hello 2014!

Happy New Year everyone!  I am finally catching my breath to do a post about our Christmas and New Year!  I hope everyone had a beautiful festive season!  I had a very busy end to 2013 and had literally no time to sit down and blog.  We are just finishing our holiday after having Christmas at home with all the trimmings ... size 52 turkey this year with the old family recipe for seasoning.  The plum pudding went beautifully and Mum was so happy as this year we had a really good skin on it!  Topped off with cream and custard it was divine.  I took this photo above when we were in Macau at The Venetian Resort as I just thought it was so beautiful and kind of reminded me of Sugar and how also how incredibly gorgeous a pink Cartier watch with diamonds is!

We had time in Hong Kong and Macau and all of the holiday windows were beautiful (but still don't beat New York! ~ best in the world!)

This was the floral arrangement at reception at The Peninsula, Hong Kong.  Stunning!  Hong Kong is very intriguing and I love the colonial history behind it!  We saw  wonderful architecture mixed with Chinese culture and it was gorgeous.  

This was the little Peninsula Bear that was a gift for Georgiana ~  So cute!

Sunset over Victoria Harbour ~  breathtaking....

A little bit of shopping was in order and this Miss Dior shop for children was so beautiful .... the attention to detail was incredible.

A rose at High Tea ....

Our Christmas tree for 2013 ..... I went with a snow encrusted tree and it was such a nice change from the pure green pine ....

I love the way the fairy lights reflect in the sash windows ...... 

champagne for Christmas Day 

Sugar ready to pounce!

A couple more of the Dior store in Hong Kong .... I wish you all a fantastic 2014 and I believe it is going to be a great year!!!!  

lots of love M.A. the 2nd!